Best Girls Night Out Middle Eastern Restaurants in Chicago
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Aba
Destination rooftop Mediterranean spot where polished mezze meets a lush, scene-y patio.
Notable Picks
#1
Aba
8.9
Aba is a high-energy rooftop spot in Fulton Market where modern Middle Eastern–leaning mezze, shawarma-spiced proteins, and a deep cocktail list are matched by one of the most polished patios in the city. Locals treat it as a go-to for celebratory dinners, brunch with out-of-towners, and nights where food and scene both matter.
Must-Try Dishes:
Whipped Feta with charred pita, Short Rib Hummus, Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak
What Makes it Special: Destination rooftop Mediterranean spot where polished mezze meets a lush, scene-y patio.
#2
Beity
8.6
Beity brings chef Ryan Fakih’s Lebanese heritage into a moody, stone-walled Fulton Market dining room with a tasting menu built around mezze, sayadieh, and classic Levantine flavors. It leans more fine dining than neighborhood grill, with cocktails and service calibrated for long, special-occasion evenings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Parsley Hummus with Lamb, Shish Barak Dumplings, Qatayef with burnt honey ice cream
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized Lebanese tasting menu that treats mezze and family recipes with fine-dining framing.
#3
Fiya
8.3
A modern Middle Eastern/Israeli-leaning kitchen where the move is to build the meal around hummus-and-pita and one larger centerpiece, then stop before it turns into a crowded table. The food lands best when you let the spice blends and sauces do the work—bright, savory, and designed for sharing.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus (Original or Shawarma), Shakshuka, Khachapuri
What Makes it Special: Modern Middle Eastern cooking anchored by hummus, pita, and bold mains.
#4
Avaspi
8.2
Avaspi brings an Anatolian slant to Lakeview with tapas-style mezze, charcoal-grilled kebabs, and a polished room of velvet seating and cocktails. It’s where locals upgrade a neighborhood dinner into something closer to a night out without leaving the zip code.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed meze appetizer, Grilled halloumi meze, Anatolian Breakfast for Two
What Makes it Special: Design-forward Anatolian spot where mezze, cocktails, and brunch meet in a chic space.
#5
Elia
8.2
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Date Night Magic
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Elia is a modern Mediterranean restaurant on Division where mezze, mixed grills, and seafood arrive in a candlelit room accented with deep reds and live-fire aromas. It’s used for birthday dinners and date nights when diners want an all-evening experience built around shared plates and a broader wine list.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-you-can-eat mezze and grill spread, Lamb chops, Baklava dessert
What Makes it Special: Modern, music-forward Mediterranean room built for lingering celebrations.
Worthy Picks
7.7
Vibes:
Live Music Showtime
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
A late-hours, retro dining-and-club setup serving a Mediterranean kebab-and-mezze menu with a BYOB-friendly, music-forward vibe. The strongest move is ordering into the grill lane—kebab combinations and classic dips—rather than overextending across the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combo kebab, Beef koubideh, Baba ghannouj
What Makes it Special: Dinner-and-music setting paired with a kebab-heavy Mediterranean menu.